The W. Keats Sparrow award recognizes excellence in research and writing by students in East Carolina University's English 1100 & 1200 composition classes. The award is sponsored by the Friends of Joyner Library and is named in honor of Dr. W. Keats Sparrow, Professor Emeritus of English and Former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Also deserving recognition are the instructors of the English 1200 sections that produced the winners. Dr. Brian Glover was Ashley Lamb and Janelle O'Callaghan's instructor; and Dr. Randall Martoccia was Danny Franch's instructor.